Deputy sheriff
Today’s Tiser reports an Ipsos poll on the Liberal party deputy leadership
Treasurer Peter Costello, the present deputy, is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Prime Minister John Howard, should he retire this term.
But Mr Costello’s potential leadership rivals, Health Minister Tony Abbott and Education Minister Brendan Nelson, did not match Mr Downer in the poll for the deputy leadership.
Asked who would make the best deputy if the office became vacant soon, 27 per cent of the 1000 respondents favoured Mr Downer, 21 per cent Mr Abbott and 13 per cent Dr Nelson.
It is interesting to compare these results with Centrebet’s odds on who will lead the Liberal Party to the next election.
| Date | Howard | Costello | Nelson | Abbott | Turnbull | Downer | Anyone else |
| 25-Jul-05 | $1.66 | $3.50 | $5.00 | $10.00 | $101.00 | $34.00 | $34.00 |
While the subject of analysis is different, the punters appear to rate Nelson much higher than the pollsters.